Monthly Archives: December 2012

Amy Meets America: New Orleans on Foot

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The last couple of days have had plenty of walking, and I can feel it in my legs. With any luck this’ll help combat the food of late.

New Orleans has been a mixed bag since I arrived. Yesterday evening was one of the scariest I remember – dark, cold, and having to walk back a mile back to the hostel alone. Not far, I agree. But completely nerve-wracking nonetheless.

Today was so much better!

YESTERDAY

I checked into my hostel mid afternoon yesterday, after an extremely tiring all-nighter in San Francisco the night before. After a quick shower, I head into the French Quarter for dinner.

Wandering down Bourbon Street (essentially New Orleans’ equivalent of The Strip) it’s difficult to avoid the souvenir stores and boozy tourists. But there was the odd gem to be found, and I did enjoy it.

Particularly the Music Legends Park tucked in amongst it. Live jazz, hot Cajun food for dinner, and friendly, relaxed setting. Win.
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TODAY

Back into the French Quarter via streetcar to check out everything I missed yesterday.

There’s a lot packed in such a small area, so I decided to stick with the more historic “mature” attractions. Sadly, the museums, etc, were all shut down for New Years and won’t be reopening until the 2nd. But that just made way for more music!

And beignets.

My favourite attractions from the day was the Old Ursuline Covent and the St Louis Cathedral (above). Sorry, but I have an objection to taking photos inside active places of worship, so no photos inside the Cathedral (or St Mary’s church within the convent, though its no longer used for services).

My One New Year Resolution

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Hope you’re all getting ready for your New Years Eve plans, whatever they may be. I’m having a quiet night n at my hostel, with the community cat purring on the couch and fireplace roaring beside me.

I’ve already got goals, and a continued focus on improving my fitness, for 2013 – but why not throw a resolution into the mix too.

This year’s resolution is going to be quite the challenge, and will push me well and truly out of my comfort zone. Especially at work.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you: my 2013 resolution…
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And because I know I won’t be up at midnight – I’ve started early! Rockin’ the green sweater:

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HAPPY NEW YEAR Y’ALL!

Amy Meets America: The Food

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20121229-195212.jpgOne of the biggest challenges with travelling is eating well. I learned that the hard way last time I travelled, gaining a solid 5+ kg in the month that I was away.

This time around I’m trying to strike a balance between trying what’s recommended, and what people suggest is an “Amercian” diet, with what I know is healthy. Not preparing my own meals, this is hard.

I’ve eaten far more burgers in the 6 days I’ve been here than I would in a month at home. Three (and counting, I’m sure). My burgers per day (“BPD”) is smack-bang on 0.5 at the moment. I’m going to make sure it doesn’t go any higher than that.

Stopping right here, I want to point out my excessive consumption of burgers is not the fault of the country, but the consumer. Don’t want to eat crap? Don’t buy it! Simple.

But I want your thoughts on the matter, too. In my attempt to pull an all-nighter to catch my plane at 5 am, I wrote the following pro/con list. Have a read, then chip in with your 2c!

The Good:

– Food is very easy to find, and quick to obtain. Your day of sightseeing and general tourist-wonder doesn’t need to be planned around where/ when you’re going to eat (but it can, if you want to).

– A lot of the menus I’ve seen provide calorie information on the items available. It has been really helpful when choosing between items at some places.

– The places I’ve been staying so far have provided good, free, filtered water to guests. This makes it a lot easier to avoid.

– A damn fine steak was not difficult to find.

The Bad:

- Calorie information is often displayed, showing you just how ridiculous some of the ‘food’ you’re consuming is for you.

– Everything comes in such huge serves! I have yet to finish a meal, and I’ve probably still eaten twice what I should have. The portions are completely distorted.

– In the city, apples would set me back 99c each. Granted, I know they’d be much cheaper if I was at a proper grocery store, but without access to a car (or the time to mission to one in each city via public transport) this just isn’t an option.

– A salad that wasn’t smothered in a creamy sauce, or packed with bacon and croutons, has been very difficult to find. But – success – I was able to find one to take back to the hostel for dinner to tonight!

The Ugly:

– “Would you like fries with that?”. Oh, go on – it’s only $1. For another 50c, you can get a soda too!

So – your thoughts?

Amy Meets America: San Francisco, Napa & Berkeley in-between

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20121229-140915.jpgThe last couple of days have been the best days of the trip so far. I got to hang out with a bunch of friends (and new acquaintances) and and around San Francisco.

After a brief dinner in the city Thursday night, I headed with them out to their place in Berkeley rather than wander back to the hostel for a quiet night in. I’m glad I did, and we got some quality catching-up in.

Friday allowed for a sleep in before we jumped in the Mercedes for the hour drive out to Napa Valley. None of us had breakfast – though our gracious host did walk down to Phil’s Coffee with me and managed my expectations in relation to American coffee while we waited for the others to change. By the time we got out there (about 1pm) we were famished!

Thankfully, Domaine Carneros – our first stop – had some tasty cheeses and meats to placate us. Their bubbles weren’t bad either. Actually, they were pretty good. Better than pretty good, even.
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Given the choice, I’d definitely go back. Not only was the wine and food awesome, so was the setting – the tastings were in a gorgeous building standing proud upon the hill. We were seated by a fireplace, decorated for Christmas, and the service was great.
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Our second stop was Cuvaison Estate, next door. This one was focused on still wines – a mix of white and reds.

Not only was the wine completely different to our first stop, so was the setting for the tasting. We were in a modern building with giant windows looking out onto the vineyard. It was a great place, too, but probably more fitting for the summer – when Napa’s at its best.

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We grabbed a bottle of our favourite red from Cuvaison and headed into the city for a quality steak. Cue Bob’s Steak and Chop House in the city. They served a good steak. Perfect steak. And the beefsteak tomato salad was pretty tasty, too.

Perfect end to an epic day with friends.

Dear Sir, Thank You

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Dear Sir,

Thank you for taking the time to show me how to use my camera today. I really appreciate your pointers.

I’m sorry that your kids found it embarrassing. I would, too, if my dad did the same. But that’s a parent thing, not your sympathy for poorly-skilled strangers.

In case you don’t remember what I’m taking about, here’s the (terrible) photo I snapped when you took pity on me:
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This is the one I tried with your suggestions:
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Bingo.

The photos I took got a lot better during the day, too. You’ve helped make the whole process simpler.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
Amy

Amy Meets America: San Francisco Part I

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20121227-162115.jpgSan Francisco pulled out a fantastic day today – there’s not a cloud in the sky, and the sun’s shining without any sign of hesitation. Of course, it’s still a little chilly but it’s not too different to the temperature at home in Wellington, NZ.

Say what you will about the hills, so far I’ve found San Francisco to be a very walkable city.
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This morning I did a loop around from my downtown hostel to Nob Hill, and down to Fisherman’s Wharf via Chinatown. The hills were definitely steep in places, and I even tried jogging the steeper part of Mason St at one point. It didn’t kill me! I just regretted wearing so many merino layers for it.

You live and learn.

The highlight of the day was a 90 minute “bridge to bridge” cruise/tour of the bay. It was a well paced, casual ride and not too busy. I had a prime spot at the back of the boat for picture taking, too, which was great.

Dinner tonight with friends who are also in the city for a couple of nights, and Napa tomorrow (assuming the weather doesn’t pack it in completely)!20121227-162135.jpg
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Amy Meets America: The Las Vegas Antics

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I’ve arrived!

The first stop on my trip around the United States was Las Vegas, so I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day under the bright, fluorescent lights of The Strip.

For those observant folk playing along at home, you may have already noticed that Las Vegas wasn’t on my itinerary. Because it wasn’t. It was a last minute change that meant less time in San Francisco, but I’m glad I did it.

If I had to describe Las Vegas in three words, I’d choose: excess, consumption, indulgence.

Of course, there may well be stories behind those descriptors but I’m not going to share them. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Besides, what if my mother reads this?! (Hi mum!)

Happy to share the rest of it though -

THE GAMBLING

I didn’t gamble a lot, but I did lose everything I put down. This is why I do not gamble.
That being said, I love watching others and learning how it all works. It was fun.

THE SHOWS

I saw a show each night and loved each one.

1. Blue Man Group
Three grown men, painted blue, running around on stage with various props. Though largely a percussion show, it had a little bit of everything and kept me laughing the whole time. I’ve never heard so many synonyms for one’s (mum, cover your eyes) butt, or seen so many balls on one stage.

If you get a chance, I highly recommend checking it out! Unless you’re epileptic. Then you may want to give it a miss (or, you know, and the flashy lights of Vegas full stop).

2. Cirque du Soleil ‘Mystere’
No trip to Las Vegas is complete without seeing a Cirque du Soleil show, right?
I had fantastic seats, right at the front with performers coming up to us, putting their brightly-painted faces in ours. Thinking about it now, that sounds a little creepy – but it wasn’t at the time. It was great!

A couple of years back I was lucky enough to catch ‘Drallion’ in New Zealand when it was touring. At the time, I remember thinking that the things the performers were able to do was unnatural and that they must all be on a crazy cocktail of drugs and steroids. This time, though, I found that I appreciated everything so much more. Watching the performers’ muscles working as they flipped themselves around, climbed and spun around poles, and flung themselves from one ledge to another, I wanted to learn how to do that myself – I distinct change in mindset. Turns out I’ve come a long way in understanding the human body.

I definitely want to see the other Cirque du Soleil shows, too. Maybe that’s a good reason to head back?

THE FOOD

Everyone talks about the obesity epidemic in the States, but for the life of me I can’t understand why. I mean, for my Christmas dinner I rocked up to Gilley’s at Treasure Island (classy right?) and for $17 got a country fried steak smothered in some funky cream-based gravy, a bowl of fries, a bowl of vegetables (which were swimming in oil, um, what?) and cornbread. That’s just the main of course.

There was also dessert – peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

We don’t get food like that at home.

Of course, I didn’t eat it all. And I can still feel everything sitting solidly in my stomach 18 hours on. I haven’t been able to eat breakfast. Or lunch.

I’m all for new experiences, but I won’t be doing that again.

THE DRINK

Evening call. 25oz cocktail slushies in a giant to-keep plastic cup.

Cheap. With even cheaper refills at any of the Evening Call bars along The Strip.

Need I say more?